Ms Heydi Foster-Breslin:

The Government's adult literacy for life strategy was just launched. A whole-of-society approach is needed to its implementation with Government, local government, community organisations and employers all working together. These already exist. The infrastructure is already there. An Cosán has 210 community partners it works with throughout the country. Some 50% of the population does not have basic digital skills and 20% do not have literacy skills. In areas of high poverty with a higher proportion of early school leavers, these figures are much higher. The new national strategy needs to be resourced in order that those, such as An Cosán, that have the expertise can provide additional literacy to those who need it. Otherwise, they will be left further behind in the digital divide. Women experienced the brunt of the pandemic.